Apparatus for mining



Nov. 27, 1945. J. B. MAVOR APPARATUS FOR MINING Filed July 18, 1944 2Sheets-Sheet l Patented Nov. 27, 1945 APPARATUS FOR MINING John BridleMavor, Glasgow, Scotland, assignor to Joy Manufacturing Company,Franklin, Pa.

Application July 18, 1944, Serial No. 545,435

- In Great Britain June 26, 1943 10 Claims.

A method of and apparatus for mining coal has been proposed in which thecutting of the coal at the coal face is effectedby a direct shearingaction due to thrust upon the coal, the shearing action, which issomewhat analogous to the action of a chisel, taking place in orsubstantially in a plane more or less parallel with the front of thecoal face and being effected by a thrust approximately parallel with thefloor. A machine for carrying out this method comprises one or morepower operated ram with a shearing head (or heads) adapted to be thrustby the ram directly into the coal.

in a modification. of this apparatus there is associated with the saidhead or heads a shearing cutter of the cutter-chain or cutter-disc typewhich moves bodily with the head or heads but in advance thereof so asto make a more or less vertical longitudinal incision in the coal intowhich incision the head or heads enter and part the coal from the seam.

In either of these cases the apparatus may comprise a main part, whichcarries the head (or heads) and the shearing chain or disc, assuming thelatter to be provided, and a secondary part whose principal function isto jam. between the roof and the floor and provide a support to take thereaction of a hydraulic ram (or rams) which thrusts the main part, withthe head and cutter chain or disc, forward relative to the secondarypart so that the cutting operation is efiected. One element of theram, 1. e. either the piston rod or the cylinder, is connected to themain part of the apparatus and the other element of the ram is connectedto the secondary part.

According to this invention mining apparatus of the constructionreferred to in the previous paragraph is characterised by the secondarypart comprising mechanism in the nature of a hydraulic jack withmanually operable means whereby a limited amount of pressure can beinitially'applied to the jack to bring it into, and hold it in, contactwith the roof, whereafter, on the application of fluid pressure to thehydraulic ram, that fluid pressure is transmitted to and intensifles theupward thrust of the jack while the ram is thrusting forward the mainpart to efiect cutting.

Generally, the initial pressure is applied to the jack by means of ahand-operated hydraulic pump and liquid reservoir mounted on theSecondary part of the apparatus. Alternatively, however, an initialthrust can be applied by mechanical means, for example, in the nature ofa lever, the arrangement being such that liquid flows from a reservoirinto the cylinder of the jack behind the piston as the piston ismechanically moved.

In both cases the fluid pressure from the ram 1 intensifies the fluidpressure in the jack cylinder.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists ingeneral of certain noveldetails of construction and combinations ofparts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and particularly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, like characters of reference indicate likeparts in the several views and:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructed in accordance withthis invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of what may be termed the rear portion of such amachine.

Fig. 3 is a detail section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the rearportion of such a machine and showing part of the forward portionthereof.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the forwardportion of the machine.

In the form of the invention herein shown there is provided a rear orholdin mechanism indicating in general at A and a forward or operatingmechanism indicated in general at B. The rear mechanism comprises a basemember ID the under side of which has its edges curved upward at thefront and rear as shown at l I in Fig. 4. This base member forms a skidor sliding device adapted to rest on the floor C of the mine, the roofof the mine being indicated at D. The side wall of the mine is shown atE, the device being peculiarly adapted for what is known as long wallmining. On the side of the'base against the wall E is an outstandingflange 9 the face of which adjacent the wall E has curved ends l3. Thepurpose of the curved ends H and i3 is to permit the rear element A toglide readily over the mining floor in constant spaced relation to thewall E.

Extending upward from the base It is a cylinder l4 wherein is mounted ahollow plunger [2.

This plunger is held from contact with the bottom of the cylinder Itbymeans of an annular bearing plate iii.- The lower part of the cylinderis of greater diameter than the plunger l2 as is also the upper part ofthe cylinder but in the upper part of the cylinder is provided packingHi the detail formation of which constitutes no part of the presentinvention. On top of the cylinder 7 is fitted an annular ring IT forretaining the to the cylinder by any suitable means such as indicated bythe bolts l8. From the plunger l2 there extends upwardly a neck l9carrying on its upper end a ball which is turn supports a socket memberconsisting of an upper part 2| and a lower part 22 held together bysuitable means such as the bolts 23. The upper part 2| of the socketmember carries a pressure plate 24 provided with longitudinal ribs 25the purpose of which is to prevent sideway slipping of the element Afrom the side wall E. Mounted on the base It] at the side opposite theflange 9 is a tank or reservoir 26 and mounted on the rear side of thecylinder I4 is a hydraulic pump 21 which is manually operated by a pumphandle 28. This pump is connected by a suppl line 29 to the reservoir26. In the larger diameter, lower part of the cylinder there is provideda port 29 constituting an inlet port through which liquid under pressurefrom the pump 21 is received, a suitable pipe connection 30 beingprovided for the purpose of conducting such liquid from the pump 21 tothe port 29.

The forward element B is likewise supported on a base or skid member 3|having upturned ends 32, this base or skid member likewise resting onthe floor C of the mine. Secured to the cylinder l4 on its forward sideis a plate 33 carrying a heav eye 34. At 35 is a forked member havingeye portions wherein eyes align with the eye of the part 34 so that apivot bolt 36 may pass therethrough and secure the forked member to thecylinder l4,

Extending upwardly from the base member 3| is a web or other likesupport 3'l which carries a cylinder 38 having its rear end providedwith a head 39in turn provided with a suitable packing gland 40 theinternal construction of which is not deemed necessary here to be shownas the same forms no part of the present invention. Secured by anysuitable means to the forked member 35 is a piston rod 4| which has apassage or opening 42 extending from a point near its rear end to theforward opposite end through which it opens.

The cylinder [4 is provided, opposite the port 29 with a port 43 whichisconnected by a somewhat flexible pipe 44 with a port opening into therear end of the passage 42. On the forward end of the piston rod 4| ismounted a piston 46.

As previously stated this device is intended to operate a chiselingelement and this element is here indicated in general at 58, it beingunderstood that the particular form of this element does not constituteany part of the present invention but, on the contrary, that the presentinvention may be used with any type desired of chiseling element.Mounted on the skid or base 3| is a pump 41 which may be of anypreferred type but which is here shown as being of a rotary type drivenby an electric motor 48. Again this motor may be of whatever type isnecessary to operate the pump 41 as the type of pump and motive meansforms no part of the present invention.

At 49 is a main reservoir provided, as is common in such devices, with afilling plug 50. This reservoir is preferably mounted on the cylinder38by a saddle .45 or the like although again the particular form ofmounting such a cylinder may be any of the well known types. Thereservoir -49 supplies the pump 41 through a pipe 5| and from the pump41 extends a pipe 52 which leads to a valve 53 provided with anoperating handle 54 This valve is of any well known type adapted tosupply, in one position of the handle a pipe 55 leading to the forwardend of the cylinder 38 and,

in another position, a pipe 58 leading to the rear end of the cylinder38.

A pipe connection 51 leads from the tank 49 to the tank 26.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

Assuming apparatus to be in the initial posi-' tion with the piston 46in its forward position the parts A and B will be close together. Atthis time it is also to be assumed that the chiselin member 58 is inposition to begin its chiseling stroke. The lever 28 is now operated todraw liquid such as oil or other suitable liquid from reservoir 26 andpump it through the port 29 into the lower part of the cylinder l4. Itthere effects pressure on the base of the plunger l2 which causes theplunger to rise and brings the member 24 and its ribs 25rinto contactwith the roof D. Now since this is a hand operation it is obvious thatthere are limits to the convenient amount of force that can be appliedthrough the hand pump. Nevertheless, the rear member A may be lockedagainst rearward movement sufficiently by the action of this hand pumpto permit motive power to be brought into play. When the rear elementhas thus been secured against movement by ordinary force the motor 48 isstarted with the valve handle 54 turned in such position as to supplyliquid under pressure through the pipe 55. Under these circumstances apressure channel is established between the piston 46 and the chiselelement 58 which forms the head for the front of the cylinder 38. Sincethe piston, through its connection with the rear element A,

is held substantially immovable the forward element B tends to moveforwardly. At the same time the fact that pressure exists between thepiston and the chisel elements, causes fluid under equal heavy pressureto flow through the passage 42, pipe connection 44 and port 43 to thelower part of the cylinder l4. Thus whatever the unit pressure isexerted to move the element B forwardly a like unit pressure is exertedby the action of the pump on the bottom of the plunger l2 and the rearelement is thereby clamped securely between the bottom and top walls ofthe mine.

When the stroke has been completed and the chisel moved forwardy as faras desired the valve handle 54 is moved to cause flow of the fluid.under pressure through the pipe 56. Therebypressure is exerted betweenthe piston and the head 39. Now the chisel member, the forward cylinderand these parts all combine to form a much heavier structure than thecylinder l4 and its associated parts. At the same time the suctionthrough the pipe 5| causes a suction on the pipe connection which drawsliquid from the reservoir 26 and thus not only relieves pressure in theforward face of the piston but also relieves pressure below the plungerl2 so that the latter, through its weight, settles in the cylinder |4whereby the plate 24 dips below the roof eyes and thus relieves the rearmember from clamping effect so that the action of the piston draws thisrear member forwardly ready for a renewal of the operation.

What is claimed is:

1. In a mining machine, a forward structure including a chiselingelement, a rear structure including a hydraulic jack for anchoring therear structure between the floor and roof of a mine, a hydrauliccylinder carried by one of said structures and having a piston therein,a piston rod connecting the piston to the other structure, fluidpressure producing means to produce initial actuating fluid pressure insaid jack, other fluid pressure producing means producing fluid pressurein an end of said cylinder for causing said forward structure to moveaway from said rear structure, and conduit means to conduct fluid underpressure to said jack from said end of said cylinder.

' 2. In a mining machine, a forward structure including a chiselingelement, a rear structure ineluding a hydraulic jack for anchoring therear structure between the floor and roof of a mine, a hydrauliccylinder carried by one of said structures'and having a piston therein,a piston rod connecting the piston to the other structure, fluidpressure producing means to produce initial actuating fluid pressure insaid jack, other fluid pressure producing means producing fluid pressurein an end of said cylinderfor causing said forward structure to moveaway from said rear structure, conduit means to conduct fluid underpressure to said jack from said end of said cylinder, said last pressureproducing means including valve means for shifting the fluid underpressure from one side of the piston to the other.

3. In a mining machine, a forward structure including a chiselingelement, a rear structure including a hydraulic jack for anchoring therear structure between the floor and roof of a mine, a hydrauliccylinder carried by one of said structures and having a piston therein,a piston rod connecting the piston to the other structure, fluidpressure producing means to produce init al actuating fluid pressure insaid jack, other fluid pres sure producing means producing fluidpressure in an end of said cylinder for causing said forward structureto move away from said rear structure, and conduit means to conductfluid under pressure to said jack from said end of said cylinder, saidflrst fluid pressure producing means including a manually operable pumpoperable while the second fluid pressure producing means is idle.

4. In a mining machine; a forward structure including a chiselingelement, a rear structure including a hydraulic jack for anchoring therear structure between the floor and roof of a mine, a hydrauliccylinder carried b one of said structures and having a piston therein, apiston rodconnecting the piston to the other structure, fluid pressureproducing means to produce initial actuating fluid pressure in saidjack, other fluid pressure producing means producing fluid pressure inan end of said cylinder for causing said forward structure to move awayfrom said rear structure, conduit means to conduct fluid under pressureto said jack from said end of said cylinder, said last pressureproducing means including valve means for shifting the fluid underpressure from one side of the piston to, the other, said first fluidpressure producing means including a manually operable pump operablewhile the second fluid pressure producing -means is idle,

5. Ina mining machine, a forward structure including a chiselingelement, a rear structure including a hydraulic jack for anchoring therear structure between the floor and roof of a mine, a hydrauliccylinder carried by one of said structures and having a piston therein,a piston rod connecting the piston to the other structure, fluidpressure producing means to produce initial actuating fluid pressure insaid jack, other fluid pressure producing means producing fluid pressurein an end of said cylinder for causing said forward structure to move.away from said rear structure, and conduit means to conduct fluid underpressure to said'jack from said end of said cylinder, said conduit meansincluding a passage extending axially through said piston rod and a pipeconnection between said passage and said jack.

6. In a mining machine, a forward structure including a chiselingelement, a rear structure including a hydraulic jack for anchoring therear structure between the floor and roof of a mine, a hydrauliccylinder carried by one of said structures and having a piston therein,a piston rod connecting the piston to the other structure, fluidpressure producing means to produce initial actuating fluid pressure insaid jack, other fluid pressure producing means producing fluid pressurein an end of said cylinder for causing said forward structure to moveaway from said rear structure, conduit means to conduct fluid underpressure to said jack from said end of said cylinder, said last pressureproducing means including valve means for shifting the fluid underpressure from one side of the piston to the other, said conduit meansincluding a passage extending axially through said piston rod and a pipeconnection between said passage and said jack.

7. In a mining machine, a forward structure ating fluid pressure in saidjack, other fluid pressure producing means producing fluid pressure inan end of said cylinder for causing said forward structure to move awayfrom said rear structure, and conduit means to conduct fluid underpressure to said jack from said end of .7

said cylinder, said first fluid pressure producing means including amanually operable pump operable while the second fluid producing meansis idle. said conduit means including a passage extending axiallythrough said piston rod and a pipe connection between said passage andsaid jack.

8. In a mining machine, .a forward structure including a chiselingelement, a rear structure including a hydraulic jack for anchoring therear structure between the floor and roof of a mine, a hydrauliccylinder carried by one of said structures and having a piston therein,a piston rod connecting the piston to the other structure, fluidpressure producing means to produce initial actuating fluid pressure insaid jack, other fluid pressure producing means producing fluid pressurein an end of said cylinder for causing said forward structure to moveaway from said rear structure, conduit means to conduct fluid underpressure to said jack from said end of said cylinder, said last pressureproducing means including valve means for shifting the fluid underpressure from one side of the piston to the other, said first fluidpressure producing means including a manually operable pump operablewhile the second fluid pressure producing means is idle, said conduitmeans including a passage extending axially through said piston rod anda pipe connection between said passage and said jack.

9. In a mining machine, a forward structure including a chiselingelement, a rear structure ineluding a hydraulic jack for anchoring therear structure between the floor and roof of a mine, a hydrauliccylinder carried by one of said structures and having a piston therein,a piston rod connecting the piston to the other structure, fluidpressure producing means to produce initial actuating fluid pressure insaid Jack, other fluid pressure producing means producing fluid pressurein an end of said cylinder for causing said forward structure to moveaway from said rear structure,

conduit means to conduct fluid under pressure to said jack from said endof said cylinder, said first fluid pressure producing means including amanually operable pump while the second fluid pressure producing meansis idle, a reservoir supplying the manually operable pump, a secondreservoir supplying the other fluid pressure producing means, and aconduit connecting said reservoirs.

10. In a mining machine, a forward structure including a chiselingelement, a rear structure including a hydraulic jack for anchoring therear structure between the floor and roof of a mine, a hydrauliccylindercarried by one of said structures and having a piston therein, a pistonrod connecting the piston to the other structure, fluid pressureproducing means to produce initial actuating fluid pressure in saidjack, other fluid pressure producing means producing fluid pressure inan end of said cylinder for causing said forward structure to move awayfrom said rear structure, conduit means to conduct fluid under pressureto said jack from said end of said cylinder, said first fluid pressureproducing means including a manually operable pump operable while thesecond fluid producing means is idle, said .conduit means including apassage extending axially through said piston rod and a pipe connectionbetween said passage and said jack, a reservoir supplying the manuallyoperable pump, a second reservoir supplying the other fluid pressureproducing means, and a conduit connecting said reservoirs.

JOHN BRIDIE'MAVOR.

